Toothpick.



' No. 7|4,9m. y Patentd nec. 2, |902.. J. E. HILLS.

TOTHPICK.

(Application led 14, 1902.)

(No Model.)

. Mmmm -l Num.

m: Nouns PETERS co.. nuoro-Lawa. wAsmNG'roN. n1 cA UNITEDV STATES JAMES EDVIN HILLS,

PATENT FFICE.

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TOOTH PICK.

PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,901, dated December 2, 1902.

Application filed January 14. 1902. Serial No. 89,688. (No model.)

T0 all, whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES EDWIN HILLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in lthe county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Toothpicks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to toothpicks; and the objects of the same are to provide a toothpick embodying the following functions and characteristics: elasticity, tenacity, transparency, convenience in shape, variability in thickness to serve in removing particles wedged between teeth having little space between them, roughened surfaces to dislodge substances by drawing the pick between the teeth, to provide desirable space for advertising purposes, to produce a toothpick from at sheet material of the required qualities in order that the same may be cut out in the form of some article to be advertised and at the same time be of a desirable shape to per form its functions as a toothpick, to occupy but little space in the pocket or pocket-book, to be neat andattractive in appearance, and which may be produced at a slight cost.

Elasticity land tenacity are very desirable qualities in toothpicks and the ordinary wooden toothpicks in common use are almost totally' devoid of these qualities, as they usually splinter and break when used, often leaving a very troublesome splinter between the teeth.

A transparent toothpick is desirable for the reason thatit may be used without being seen.

Celluloid has been found desirable as a material from which to manufacture toothpicks, owing to its inherent elasticity and tenacity and owing to the fact that it may be transparent and of any required thickness. A flat toothpick made of thin celluloid may be drawn between teeth which are set so closely together that dental silk would fail to dislodge a particle wedged between them, and such a thin toothpick may be used with one hand only, while the use of dental silk requires both hands to properly manipulate it. A roughened surface or a serrated edge formed on a fiat toothpick will sometimes remove a stringy substance from between the teeth which would be very difcnlt to dislodge with a toothpick of ordinary construction.

The foregoing defines some of the advantages of a toothpick made in accordance with my invention; but added to these advantages may be mentioned slight cost and the feature of a desirable advertising medium.

Various forms may be adopted, and I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings certain forms embodying a plurality of picks of different shapes or thickness pivoted together near one end by a small eyelet or rivet. The outer member of such toothpicks may be utilized for advertizing space and may also be used as toothpicks, and the inner members or picks may have embossed or printed advertisements thereon.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l illustrates in side view a toothpick comprising two at rectangular members or picks pivoted together by an eyelet near one end and opened ont. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a toothpick comprising three members which may differ in contour and thickness, one of said members having a roughened surface and another having a serrated edge. Fig. 3 is a like view of a toothpick consisting of four members pivoted together in like manner. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a toothpick made of fiat transparent celluloid having one pointed end and an advertisement on one side. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a flat rectangular toothpick made of celluloid and having advertising matter upon one surface. f Fig. 6 is a plan view of a toothpick in the form of a collar cut from a fiat sheet of celluloid. Fig. 7 is a similar view of a toothpick cut in the form of a bottle. Fig. 8 is alike view of a toothpick made in the form of a fish. Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of a closed toothpick like that shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. l, 2, 3, and 9 of the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the outer member or cover of a toothpick comprising a plurality of picks pivoted together near one end by an eyelet l,

As illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings, there are two rectangular members l 3, connected together by an eyelet, and in use either of these parts may be used as a toothpick and either or both may be transparent and have an advertisement thereon.

As shown in Fig. 2, one of the outer members 1 has a serrated edge and another, 2,

is roughed on one surface. These two meub bers may be of different thickness and may be used to advantage in removing obstinate substances from between the teeth by drawing outward when oncof said members has been inserted between the teeth.

As shown in Fig. 3, a pointed toothpick 2 and a rectangular member 3 are pivoted between two outer members l l by an eyelet la. It Will be understood that the member 3 may be of any desired shape and thickness. The articles'illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and S are a few of the various designs which may be used instead of the rectangular members l and 3.

Fig. 4 shows a flat pointed toothpick having an advertisement thereon, and Fig. 5 illustrates a rectangular member having printed matter thereon.

Referring to Fig. 9, it will be seen that the pick 2 is of greater thickness than the other members. For picking cavities in teeth it is desirable that the blade or member should be comparatively stiff, while for drawing the member 3, 4, 5, or G through between the teeth a very thin ilexible member-is requiredand I have found in practice that a strip of celluloid four one-thousandths or iive one-thousandths o an inch in thickness can be used to advantage and in cases where dental silk would fail to accomplish the desired result.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that a toothpick made in accordance with .my invention may be cut to any shape from sheet Celluloid or any required thickness and color and from sheet-celluloid having a roughened surface or surfaces.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is* An implement comprising a plurality of toothpicks, pivoted together near one end, said toothpicks being of different thicknesses, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature I in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES EDl/VIN HILLS. Witnesses:

GHAS. H. SLEIGHT, Trios. J. DEAGEN. 

